Titling a mobile home or a piece of special mobile equipment (SME) isnot requiredby Maryland law. However, at any time while you own a mobile home over 35 feet in length or an SME, you may obtain a title for it. For a complete definition of “mobile home”, seeMaryland law, TR 11-134. For a definition of “special mobile equipment (SME) seeMaryland law, TR 11-159.

How do I title a mobile home over 35 feet in length?

You can apply for a title in person at any of the MVA’s full servicebranch offices. You also can mail the documents to the MVA’sMail in Title Unitin the Glen Burnie office, or go to an MVA licensedtag and title servicewhere they will assist you in applying.

Typically, the title application documents needed (along with payment of fees) include:

Proof of ownership– You must submit one or more of the following documents:

Certificate of origin – must be submitted for a new mobile home, or for a used mobile home that has never been titled.

Maryland Certificate of Title – must be submitted if the mobile home is currently titled in Maryland.

Out of state title – must be submitted if the mobile home is currently titled in another state.

Bill of sale for each transfer of the mobile home’s ownership – must be submitted if the mobile home is not titled in Maryland or in another state.

Application- If the mobile home is currently titled in Maryland, use the title as your application form by completing the section entitledApplication for Title and Registration. Otherwise, use theApplication for a Certificate of Title.

Proof that retail sales tax was paid- Any of the following documents are acceptable proofs that retail sales tax was paid, either by you or by a previous owner:

Report of House-Office Trailer Sold - The form is issued by theCompliance Division of the Comptroller of Maryland(formerly called the Retail Sales Tax Division), when retail sales tax has been paid to Maryland. It must be stamped “Remittance Received”.

Title (issued by Maryland or another state) – It is assumed that retail sales tax was collected if the vehicle has been titled.

Other receipt verifying that sales tax was paid – This could be a dealer bill of sale showing that retail sales tax was paid in another state or a receipt from the other state that is similar to Maryland’s Report of House-Office Trailer Sold form.

Note:

You must pay the retail sales tax for a new mobile home within thirty (30) days after its purchase or penalties and interest will be charged. In most cases, the tax is processed by the dealership that sold the mobile home. However, if a dealership is not involved, you should contact theCompliance Division of the Comptroller of Marylanddirectly.

Bill of sale– Even though excise tax is not charged, the MVA must record the purchase price of your mobile home.

Under certain circumstances additional information and/or forms may be required:

Lien release– If the existing title indicates that a lien was placed against the mobile home, you must submit a lien release. For a mobile home that was titled in Maryland, this could be a properly completed and signed Maryland Security Interest Filing (SIF) or a signed letter from the lien holder specifically identifying the mobile home and stating that the lien has been released. If the mobile home is currently titled in another state, you may submit a signed letter of release from the lien holder or you may have the lien holder sign the title indicating that the lien has been released.

Mobile Home Exemption– exempts you from having to pay retail sales tax. The form will be provided to you by the Retail Sales Tax Division, if applicable.

How do I title special mobile equipment (SME)?

You can apply for a title in person at any of the MVA’s full servicebranch offices. You also can mail the documents to the MVA’sMail in Title Unitin the Glen Burnie office, or go to an MVA licensedtag and title servicewhere they will assist you in applying.

Typically, the title application documents needed (along with payment for taxes and fees) include:

Proof of ownership– You must submit one or more of the following documents:

Certificate of origin – must be submitted for a new piece of special mobile equipment (SME), or for a used SME if it has never been titled.

Maryland Certificate of Title – must be submitted if the SME is currently titled in Maryland.

Bill of sale for each transfer of the SME’s ownership – must be submitted if the SME has never been titled in Maryland or another state.

Out of state title – must be submitted if the SME is currently titled in another state.

Application- If the SME is currently titled in Maryland, use the title as your application form by completing the section entitledApplication for Title and Registration. Otherwise, use theApplication for a Certificate of Title.

Bill of sale– The MVA must verify that retail sales tax was paid and record the purchase price of your special mobile equipment. The bill of sale also will be used to calculate the amount of excise tax that you will be charged as part of your titling fees.

Under certain circumstances additional information and/or forms may be required:

Lien release– If the existing title indicates that a lien was placed against the special mobile equipment (SME), you must submit a lien release. For an SME that was titled in Maryland, this could be a properly completed and signed Maryland Security Interest Filing (SIF) or a signed letter from the lien holder specifically identifying the SME and stating that the lien has been released. If the SME is currently titled in another state, you may submit a signed letter of release from the lien holder or you may have the lien holder sign the title indicating that the lien has been released.

Neither a mobile home nor special mobile equipment (SME) can be registered. However, SME license plates (also known as interchangeable tags) must be displayed on an SME when transporting it on a public road. For information about issuing interchangeable tags, seeInterchangeable Tags for Businesses Not Licensed by the MVA.

Contact Information:

MVAMail In Title Unit6601 Ritchie Highway, NEGlen Burnie, MD 21062

For telephone questions to the MVA about titling a mobile home or special mobile equipment (SME):